Conjugation of the Wolof Verb "bëgg" — to want / to love

bëgg

to want / to love

Type

Modal / Stative verb

Paradigms

5 focus forms

Perfect (Completed)

The perfect paradigm expresses completed actions. The verb comes first, followed by the subject marker. This is the most neutral way to state that something happened.

Person	Wolof
man (I)	bëgg naa
yow (you sg.)	bëgg nga
moom (he/she)	bëgg na
nun (we)	bëgg nañu
yeen (you pl.)	bëgg ngeen
ñoom (they)	bëgg nañu

Presentative (Progressive)

The presentative paradigm describes a current state or action in progress. The subject marker with "ngi" comes before the verb, similar to "I am (doing)" in English.

Person	Wolof
man (I)	maa ngi bëgg
yow (you sg.)	yaa ngi bëgg
moom (he/she)	mu ngi bëgg
nun (we)	nu ngi bëgg
yeen (you pl.)	yéena ngi bëgg
ñoom (they)	ñu ngi bëgg

Emphatic (Verb Focus)

The emphatic paradigm highlights the action itself. The "da-" prefix fuses with the subject marker before the verb. Used for emphasis or in narrative contexts.

Person	Wolof
man (I)	dama bëgg
yow (you sg.)	danga bëgg
moom (he/she)	dafa bëgg
nun (we)	dañu bëgg
yeen (you pl.)	dangeen bëgg
ñoom (they)	dañu bëgg

Negative

The negative paradigm negates the action. The "du-" prefix fuses with the subject marker. Covers both "don't" (habitual) and "won't" (future).

Person	Wolof
man (I)	duma bëgg
yow (you sg.)	doo bëgg
moom (he/she)	du bëgg
nun (we)	dunu bëgg
yeen (you pl.)	dungeen bëgg
ñoom (they)	duñu bëgg

Future

The future paradigm expresses actions that will happen. The "dina-" prefix fuses with the subject marker before the verb.

Person	Wolof
man (I)	dinaa bëgg
yow (you sg.)	dinga bëgg
moom (he/she)	dina bëgg
nun (we)	dinañu bëgg
yeen (you pl.)	dingeen bëgg
ñoom (they)	dinañu bëgg

Example Sentences

Dama la bëgg.

I love you.

Bëgg naa dem.

I want to go.

Lan moo la bëgg?

What do you want?